Cleveland put the former AL MVP on the 10-day disabled list Monday, giving him time to continue building back to full strength on a rehab assignment after missing most of the season. The DL move is retroactive to Sept. 1, so Donaldson could be activated early next week, but he will miss the four-game series in Toronto that begins Thursday.

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Based on the way his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus began Monday, the Indians might wish they had him available sooner. Donaldson hit a grand slam and played six innings at third base before calling it a day.

Donaldson has played in only 36 games this season and none in the majors since May 28. He played in two minor-league games last week as a showcase ahead of the Aug. 31 deadline for rosters to be set. That was good enough to Cleveland to sign off on acquiring him from Toronto, but he apparently isn't quite ready to dive back into a full schedule.

Donaldson had to be certified as healthy to go on revocable trade waivers. #Indians had to be comfortable with his medicals to acquire him. But another rehab assignment always was likely. Donaldson has played total of 11 minor-league innings since last MLB appearance on May 28.

If he can get healthy in the coming weeks, Donaldson could be a massive addition to the runaway AL Central leaders as they head into October. He has a .292/.361/.475 slash line in 31 postseason games with the A's and Blue Jays.